Stand-up has home in Indianapolis
When asked to diagnose the health of stand-up comedy in 2007, Live Nation talent buyer Dan Kemer points to Dane Cook's Nov. 9 show at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Kemer's company isn't affiliated with Cook's local appearance, but the fame of the comedian seen recently in the films "Good Luck Chuck" and "Dan in Real Life" is difficult to ignore.
"What's the last time a comedian could play an arena? I'm going to go back and say Andrew 'Dice' Clay (in the late 1980s)," Kemer says.
Promotion at social networking site MySpace.com helped Cook build his audience, and Kemer cites cable television channel Comedy Central as another way for comedians to connect with fans with decreased reliance on four-night stands at nightclubs.
Live Nation will present Lewis Black on Saturday at the Murat Theatre and Lisa Lampanelli on Dec. 1 at the Murat Egyptian Room, dates that Kemer refers to as "upscale, one-time appearances."
Meanwhile, Indianapolis audiences support four comedy clubs: the Crackers club in Broad Ripple, the Crackers club Downtown, One-Liner's in Greenwood and Morty's Comedy Joint on the Far Northside.
"The Bob & Tom Show" -- a morning radio franchise beamed from its WFBQ-FM (94.7) headquarters to more than 4 million coast-to-coast listeners -- is an enticing destination for stand-up acts ranging from A-list stars to emerging hopefuls.
Cast members Bob Kevoian, Tom Griswold, Chick McGee and Kristi Lee showcase comics to listeners in more than 145 cities.
"From a manager's or publicist's viewpoint, it's a very easy way to get the word out on one of their comedians," Kemer says.
Independent events promoter Geno Shelton says he took a cue from 1990s HBO series "Def Comedy Jam" when he began to place comedians at the Madame Walker Theatre Center.
Future superstars Bernie Mac, Chris Tucker and Chris Rock played there, Shelton says.
benjamindy : RE: Stand-up has home in Indianapolis More..
Wait.. Dane Cook is a comedian?
Neal Taflinger : RE: Stand-up has home in Indianapolis More..
Andrew Dice Clay is an amazing analogy. All a comedian has to do to sell out an arena is to not be funny.
musicjunky1967 : RE: Stand-up has home in Indianapolis More..
...or steal other comic's jokes. Now all Carlos Mencia needs to do is sell out an arena and you'll be right.
DigitalEvolution : RE: Stand-up has home in Indianapolis More..
Dane Cook is funny? Dane Cook sucks. You want funny, Seasons 1 & 2 of the Chapelle show. Dave Chapelle IS funny.
Nathaniel_Hood : RE: Stand-up has home in Indianapolis More..
Dane Cook is funny, or at least people interpret him as funny. People obviously wouldn't be filling up arenas if he wasn't funny. Cook has a mainstream appeal, and most comedians don't. Most comedians are outcasts, you almost, but not always, need to be a little "off the wall" in order to be funny.
I have never been a big fan of Cook, but there is some animosity against him because he is really the only guy filling up stadiums. People will always try to overthrow the guy who is on top of the pile.
Scientists can detect the "echo" of the Big Bang roughly 15 billion years after it happened, using microwave detectors and the like. If similar instruments could be constructed for humor, we would find that even the faint echoes of jokes told by Lenny Bruce and Bob Newhart back in the '60s would still be funnier than Dane Cook is today.
benjamindy : RE: Stand-up has home in Indianapolis More..
"Dane Cook is funny, or at least people interpret him as funny. People obviously wouldn't be filling up arenas if he wasn't funny."
WORST ASSESSMENT EVER!
Neal Taflinger : RE: Stand-up has home in Indianapolis More..
Lots of talentless hacks are popular because people have bad taste. I'm not hatin', just statin'.
DigitalEvolution : RE: Stand-up has home in Indianapolis More..
Dude, I've tried to watch this guy, but I just don't laugh. Andrew dice Clay wasnt funny and he was fillin out arenas. The way things work today all you really need to be is attractive. Dane Cook is a good looking guy, but not funny. Jessica Simpson, no talent, but attractive, sells out shows. The list goes on and on. Tv, internet, media in general has warped or minds. Truly, though I love it, the internet is the anti-christ. Lets take a guy like Christopher Cross, immensley talented but a fat hairy slob. Would even sniff a grammy today. It's a sad fact but we are a material society, shallow and self absorbed. Dane Cook is the product of this.
Funny is in the eye of the beholder...or ear, or something like that.
In general I prefer comedy that requires a little thought, but sometimes the lowest common denominator humor is good to give your brain a break.
benjamindy : RE: Stand-up has home in Indianapolis More..
Dane Cook makes Colin Quinn seem funny.
DigitalEvolution : RE: Stand-up has home in Indianapolis More..
Dane Cook wishes he coulda written that!
you have gotta love the "comedian" that laughs at his own jokes during the show..the guy from Mad T.V. does the best Impersonation of this hack..and remeber"THERE'S ONLY ONE OCTOBER!"
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